Harley has decided over the past 2 weeks to de-stuff nearly all of her teddies and her bed from her crate :-\ I keep her busy with training and playing etc, but as soon as we aren't paying her attention she craftily pinches something (was teddies but progressing onto shoes, deodorant, socks etc etc). She stands in the middle of the garden as if to say 'chase me' which of course we don't. This makes it easier to get her to give it back as it's no longer fun. I do say 'no' if I catch her, but she has become so sneaky She has always been brilliant, not chewing and we have never had to move things out if reach - any suggestions? Is it the 'teenage' stage?
Re: De-stuffing ! Lilly went through a phase of de-stuffing - she mostly grew out of it, but sometimes takes a notion for it. I took the "just ignore it and don't react" approach. That went for the stolen shoes and socks in the garden. The difference though for MY things was that I secreted a very appealing treat in my pocket just in case I needed to apply some damage limitation, and kept a sneaky but close eye on proceedings. Mostly she just lay down if I didn't give chase. Thankfully
Re: De-stuffing ! Can't help with this one I'm afraid! Hopefully it's just a phase she's going through! Maybe for the meantime try and remove anything that you don't want her to destroy - special toys, your items your don't want her to have, and let her have things that are ok to shred or chew - cardboard boxes, chew toys etc.
Re: De-stuffing ! I do the 'swap' method. When Tatze picks up something she shouldn't have I say 'ooooo what have you got for me?' in an upbeat voice, I swap it for a tasty treat. Now she comes straight to me with her 'prize'.
Re: De-stuffing ! I've been lucky Ternaya,Dexter hasn't really run off with many personal items,he'll grab a trainer ( he's only got the one to choose from at the mo :) but I ignore him and he drops it or brings it back......your post has made me think I'll try him again with a soft toy....they were pointless when he was young....I'd say a soft toy had a 30 minute life span approximately . if you aren't making a game of it I reckon she will stop/ grow out of it .....Dexter did have a penchant for nicking tea towels now I think of it....we just used to swap them for a treat and he's not done it for ages now x
